AZ judicial review panel to hold public hearings

A state commission that provides performance reviews for many of Arizona’s state court judges will hold hearings in March for public comment.

The Arizona Commission on Judicial Performance Review reviews judges on the state appellate courts and the Superior Courts in Maricopa, Pima and Pinal counties. Those judges are initially appointed but then face periodic retention elections.

Superior Court judges in other 12 counties are elected, though midterm replacements are appointed initially.

The first hearing will be held March 7 in Phoenix, followed by hearings March 14 in Tucson and March 21 in Florence.

The commission prepares a pamphlet for the public before the November general election.

Those up for retention include two Supreme Court justices and nine Court of Appeals judges.